Show ContentsBenzinger Surname History

The history of the Benzinger family name begins in the German province of Bavaria. Benzinger is a nickname surname, a class of German names derived from eke-names, or added names, that described people by a personal characteristic or other attribute. Benzinger is a name for a small, round man. The surname Benzinger is derived from the Alemannic or Swiss dialect word bunz, which means both little barrel or small man. The surname is also a derivative of the word bunze, which is the name for an oak wine-cask. Benzinger is also an Anglicized form of the German surname Bunzli or Bünzli, which are variant forms of the Old German given name of Buno, which is a Frisian name of uncertain etymological origin.

Early Origins of the Benzinger family

The surname Benzinger was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bunzinger was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Benzinger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benzinger research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Benzinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benzinger Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Benzinger include Bunzinger, Bunzzinger, Bunzingger, Bunnzinger, Bunsinger, Bunnsinger, Bunsingger, Buenzinger, Buenzzinger, Buenzingger, Buennzinger, Buensinger, Buennsinger, Buensingger, Bonzinger, Bonzzinger, Bonzingger, Bonnzinger, Bonsinger, Bonnsinger, Bonsingger, Boenzinger, Boenzzinger, Boensinger, Boenzzinger, Boenzingger, Boennzinger, Boenazinger, Boenzzinger, Boenzingger, Boennzinger, Boensinger, Boennsinger and many more.

Early Notables of the Benzinger family

More information is included under the topic Early Benzinger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Benzinger migration to the United States +

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Benzinger or a variant listed above:

Benzinger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Michael Benzinger, aged 54, who landed in New York in 1854 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Benzinger (post 1700) +



  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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